River Levels Lowered to Aid Searchers

(LORENZO, ID) – Federal officials are lowering water levels along the Snake River to help searchers find the body of a missing Idaho Falls man. Mason Empey, 21, is presumed to have drowned June 29 when he jumped out of his boat to retrieve a lost oar. His friend later made it to shore and immediately called 911. Empey, who was not wearing a life jacket, was last seen near the Lorenzo boat dock. The flow out of Palisades Dam is being reduced by 1,500 cubic feet per second and will continue through 9 p.m. Wednesday.